Viruses and the Brain: New study uncovers links to neurodegeneration after viral infection
Originally from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Dr. Beckman dreamed of being a writer. But after taking a college physiology course, she became fascinated with the brain. Her interest turned personal when her grandmother developed dementia, pushing her to understand what happens inside the brain during these conditions. Working at UC Davis under expert guidance, Dr. Beckman and her team created new monkey models that mimic how viruses interact with the human brain.
A new study published in Genomic Press Brain Medicine reveals that these models have shown viruses like SARS-CoV-2 (the virus behind COVID-19) can reach brain cells quickly—within just seven days—and cause inflammation, a key contributor to memory problems and brain fog.
This is different from other viruses like HIV, which affect the brain more slowly.
Dr Beckman's findings help explain why some people experience memory issues or 'brain fog' after recovering from viral infections like COVID-19. Using advanced microscopy (a way to take detailed pictures of brain cells), Dr. Beckman has identified how viruses damage brain regions related to memory and thinking.
Long COVID
Dr. Beckman is also active in the Long COVID community, supporting people who are still sick months after infection. She hopes her work will lead to real treatments, especially since there are currently no approved therapies for Long COVID-related brain symptoms.
Alzheimer's & Beyond
In addition to studying COVID-19, her team is working on better ways to study Alzheimer's disease. They've created new monkey models that more closely reflect how the disease develops in humans—something rodents (like mice) can't do as well. These models are helping scientists test new treatments more effectively.
While the ultimate goal of this research is to find ways to prevent or reduce brain damage caused by viruses—both in conditions like Long COVID and in more traditional neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's, it is also laying the foundation for future treatments that could help millions around the world.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
NDTV
2 hours ago
- NDTV
'Caution Not Anti-Science': Siddaramaiah On Covid Vaccine-Sudden Death Claim
New Delhi: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has responded to Biocon Ltd Executive Chairperson Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw's suggestion that he acknowledge the science behind vaccine development, rather than engage in retrospective blame. The chief minister shot back, "Seeking answers is not retrospective blame. It is the duty of a government that values every life." Siddaramaiah had fired the first shot with his post on X on July 1 that the state government ordered a study to find the reasons behind sudden deaths among young people in Karnataka, and whether Covid vaccines could have any role in them. This had prompted the reaction from the Biocon chief, who pointed out that the chief minister's claim that the vaccines were hastily approved was "factually incorrect and contributed to public misinformation". On Thursday, Siddaramaiah doubled down on his claim. "As Chief Minister, I have a duty to respond to the genuine concerns of people who have lost loved ones unexpectedly. When parents lose their young children or families lose breadwinners without warning, seeking clarity is not misinformation; it is an act of governance rooted in empathy," he said. "Scientific caution is not anti-science. Many peer-reviewed studies (such as Nature, Circulation, Journal of the American College of Cardiology) have discussed myocarditis and cardiac arrest risk, particularly among young adults post-vaccination. Publicly funded stakeholders must acknowledge both the benefits and the potential risks without fear or favour. "When I said 'hastily', it reflects the unprecedented speed of emergency rollouts globally without complete long-term data, acknowledged even by WHO and global regulatory agencies, who termed it a 'calculated risk' during a pandemic. Haste is not a sin when saving lives, but acknowledging potential unintended consequences is wisdom," Siddaramaiah said in a long post on X. As Chief Minister, I have a duty to respond to the genuine concerns of people who have lost loved ones unexpectedly. When parents lose their young children or families lose breadwinners without warning, seeking clarity is not misinformation; it is an act of governance rooted in... — Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) July 3, 2025 On Wednesday, the Union Health Ministry dismissed the Karnataka chief minister's comment, saying extensive studies by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) have conclusively established no linkages between coronavirus vaccines and sudden deaths. Studies by the ICMR and the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) also affirm that Covid-19 vaccines in India are safe and effective, with extremely rare instances of serious side effects, it said. Sudden cardiac deaths can result from a wide range of factors, including genetics, lifestyle, pre-existing conditions, and post-covid complications, the ministry had said in a statement.
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
2 hours ago
- First Post
Tech meets touch: How doctors are adapting to the digital transformation of healthcare
As AI, telemedicine and digital tools transform healthcare, doctors are adapting to a tech-driven future while preserving the human touch. Experts say technology can enhance care but empathy, intuition and doctor-patient relationships remain essential in modern medicine's evolving role. read more As technology continues to transform healthcare at an unprecedented pace, doctors are learning to walk the tightrope between innovation and intuition. From AI-powered diagnostics to telemedicine platforms and wearable tech, physicians across India are adopting new tools with cautious optimism but insist that the irreplaceable human touch remains at the core of healing. Dr. Ajay Agarwal, Senior Director of Internal Medicine at Fortis Hospital (Noida) believes that while digital innovation brings undeniable efficiency, it must be grounded in clinical wisdom. 'We must navigate this transformation with a blend of cautious optimism and evolving pragmatism,' he said. Telemedicine for instance, has become a permanent fixture in healthcare practice, especially for chronic disease follow-ups and preliminary triage. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'It has enhanced accessibility and allowed us to manage patients remotely with greater ease,' Dr. Agarwal added. 'But subtle diagnostic cues like a patient's gait, expressions or behavioural signs—are still best read in person.' AI, meanwhile, is viewed by Dr. Agarwal as a powerful assistant rather than a replacement. 'It opens doors to deeper clinical reasoning by highlighting imaging patterns and supporting diagnosis, but its integration must be critically evaluated by trained physicians,' he said. Digital health portals and patient records available online have also improved data sharing across hospitals, bridging long-standing communication gaps. Still, he added, 'The art of understanding the person behind the illness, that is something no tool can replicate.' Dr. Tushar Tayal, Consultant in Internal Medicine at CK Birla Hospital (Gurugram) echoed this sentiment, saying that technology has permanently altered the landscape of healthcare. 'The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated a shift that was already underway,' he says. Telemedicine has evolved from a peripheral service to a mainstay of patient care, particularly useful for mental health, routine follow-ups and care in underserved regions. 'Doctors have had to develop virtual bedside manners—learning how to maintain empathy and build trust through a screen.' AI's role in diagnostics is particularly pronounced in radiology, pathology, and dermatology, where pattern recognition can be enhanced by machine learning. 'These tools help reduce errors and allow us to focus more on patient interaction,' Dr. Tayal added. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Wearables and mobile health apps are another frontier. Devices that monitor heart rate, blood sugar, and sleep patterns now offer real-time data that can inform personalised treatment plans. 'Doctors are collaborating with data scientists to make sense of this information,' he said. Medical education is also adapting, with new training modules focusing on digital ethics, AI tools and critical data analysis. Still, the integration of tech in healthcare isn't without its challenges. Data privacy, screen fatigue and the risk of over-reliance on algorithms remain key concerns. Yet both doctors agree that rather than replacing physicians, technology is expanding their role. Today's doctors are no longer just healers, they are digital guides, interpreters of complex data and managers of virtual care ecosystems.
NDTV
4 hours ago
- NDTV
Covid Vaccines Not Behind Sudden Deaths, Suggests Top Medical Body Study
New Delhi: None of the Covid vaccine doses are linked to heart attacks and deaths, said Dr Sudheer Arava from AIIMS, who is part of the research currently underway by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS). Speaking to IANS, he noted that preliminary data so far has shown no indication between heart attack and Covid jabs, developed in the country. "Till now, our study data says that the vaccine has no effect on the cause of death, whether it is a first dose, second dose or third dose, there is no difference in it," Arava added. His comments amid concerns over several heart attack deaths being seen in the country. About the study, Arava, from AIIMS' Department of Pathology, said that it was launched by the ICMR, in the aftermath of deaths happening in the country after the arrival of Covid. Initial results, soon to be published, indicate that 50 per cent of the deaths caused among individuals between 18 to 45 years are due to heart attacks. The other finding is "unexplained death, in which we could not ascertain the cause". Further, to understand whether the deaths match with those during pre-COVID days, they analysed previous data but found no difference in the cause of death. "We found out that the pattern of death rate among young individuals in pre-COVID times is similar to that of during COVID. We did not find any effect of the vaccine in this... There is no clear-cut indication saying that the vaccine causes sudden death in young individuals," Arava told IANS. "The benefits of vaccines far outweigh the very small possible side effects," added Dr Rajiv Narang from the Department of Cardiology, AIIMS. He added that "people should be aware that a heart attack is not a simple issue -- there can be many causes for sudden cardiac arrest". Meanwhile, the Indian Vaccine Manufacturers Association (IVMA) also issued a statement assuring the safety of the Covid vaccines developed in the country. "Covid-19 vaccines of India were developed and manufactured with the highest safety and quality standards," IVMA Director General, Dr G.V.J.A. Harshavardhan, said. "All Covid-19 vaccines in India were approved for Emergency Use Authorisation (restricted use in emergency situations of the WHO guidelines)," he added. Harshavardhan noted that the approvals were based on extensive evaluation in preclinical studies and human clinical trials. He stated that the Indian vaccines not only helped "control the Covid-19 pandemic and restrict its impact on lives, livelihoods, but most importantly, enabling India's economic activity and GDP to rebound and grow to new heights globally". Harshavardhan said that the benefits of India-made Covid jabs were also extended to several countries worldwide, under the government's Vaccine Maitri programme. "We hereby reassure the public on the safety and efficacy of Covid-19 vaccines," he said.
